Study on the correlation of clinicopathologic factors with recurrence in colon cancer

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the clinicopathologic factors related with recurrence following curative surgery for colon cancer.METHODS: The clinicopathologic factors and follow-up data of 282 cases of colon cancers after surgical treatment from 1991 to 1999 were retrospectively analyzed using univariate and multivariate method. RESULTS: The overall recurrence rate was 16.3%(46/282). Within two years after the operation, 74.1 percent of recurrences were detected. The percentages at three years were 92.2 percent. The most common site of distant metastasis was the liver(56.8%,21/37). Univariate analysis showed that Dukes' stage, lymph node metastasis, depth of bowel wall invasion and gross findings were significantly associated with recurrence after operation. Multivariate analysis showed that lymph node metastasis and depth of bowel wall invasion were independent prognostic factors for recurrence after operation. CONCLUSION: The most common site of distant metastasis following curative surgery for colon cancer is the liver. Lymph node metastasis and depth of bowel wall invasion are the most important prognostic factors for recurrence.